Friday preview: UK/US consumer confidence surveys, IFO index in the spotlight
The market spotlight at the end of the week will be on some of the most timely surveys of consumer confidence on either side of the Pond.
Consultancy GfK's gauge is expected to have fallen further in March, to a reading of -30, as the ongoing cost-of-living crisis takes its toll on the British consumer.
That index will be followed by official retail sales data for February which are expected to reveal a 0.7% month-on-month rise.
Much the same is expected to have occurred in the US, where the University of Michigan will release the results of its own closely-followed survey of consumers, although the ongoing rally in stocks may have acted as a small offset.
On the Continent, business confidence survey results are due out in Italy, Belgium and Germany, including from the prestigious IFO institute in the case of the latter.
Friday 25 March
INTERIM DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE
City of London Investment Group, Foresight Group Holdings Limited NPV, Heath (Samuel) & Sons, Mattioli Woods
QUARTERLY PAYMENT DATE
BP, Honeycomb Investment Trust, Real Estate Credit Investments Ltd, RM Infrastructure Income, Round Hill Music Royalty Fund Limited NPV
INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS
IFO Business Climate (GER) (09:00)
IFO Current Assessment (GER) (09:00)
IFO Expectations (GER) (09:00)
M3 Money Supply (EU) (09:00)
Pending Homes Sales (US) (14:00)
U. of Michigan Confidence (US) (14:00)
FINALS
Ebiquity, Faron Pharmaceuticals Oy (DI)
ANNUAL REPORT
Faron Pharmaceuticals Oy (DI)
SPECIAL DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE
Ariana Resources, City of London Investment Group
AGMS
Beazley, Kitwave Group, PCF Group, SK Telecom Co Ltd. ADS
UK ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS
GFK Consumer Confidence (00:01)
Retail Sales (07:00)
FINAL DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE
Henderson Opportunities Trust